If It Drives Half as Good as It Looks GM Has a Winner

Gorgeous! OK thats not a word usually associated with pickup trucks, but GMCs new Canyon deserves the praise. I love its quad horizontal headlamp clusters, spliced at each corner by thick chrome strikethroughs that meld seamlessly into the classic GMC grille.

The Chevy Colorado looks superb too, slightly different up front but almost identical in profile view and from the rear. The fenders swell boldly sweeping downward back to front, an original design. The Canyons taillights are nicely done too, shaped differently than anything GMC has done before.

The truck comes just when GM needs it too, with Ford having recently introduced a new Ranger, Dodge just about to bring its completely redone Dakota

Both the GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado look superb, and share a lot of original design elements. (Photo: General Motors)

GM does trucks very well, and in typical GMC fashion the new Canyon offers a full variety of powertrain and layout configurations, as well as loads of options. According to Craig Bierley, Canyon marketing director, "The all-new Canyon was designed from the ground up to give consumers more in a mid-size pickup: more power, more space, greater functionality and a

The all-new Canyon gives consumers "more power, more space, greater functionality and a comprehensive range of choices." (Photo: General Motors)

What kinds of choices? As far as cab and bed variations go the lowest priced model is a Regular Cab, while Extended and Crew Cab upgrades are available. You can get it in 2WD and 4WD, regular height and tall off-road variations, as well as one of two engines.

The first is the Vortec 2800, a 175-hp 16-valve DOHC 2.8-L unit, massive for a 4-cylinder. Its 185 lb-ft of torque is robust for a base engine too. But those needing to pull heavy weights, with up to 4,000 pounds a possibility, will want to opt for

The two new inline engines offered in the Canyon, with their powerful yet efficient performance, fit perfectly into GMCs promise of highly capable, professional-grade performance. (Photo: General Motors)

GMC offers an all-new 5-speed manual transmission mated to 4-cylinder Canyons, plus a new transfer case for 4WD models. Five-cylinder versions get GMs stalwart 4-speed Hydra-Matic 4L60-E automatic transmission.

On the subject of powertrains Jerome Thiebaud, Canyon product manager stated, "These two new inline

The Canyon features a completely revised chassis, starting with a ladder-type frame for maximizing towing and payload capacities. (Photo: General Motors)

Along with the power comes what is said to be a good ride and handling compromise. The Canyon features a completely revised chassis, starting with a ladder-type frame for maximizing towing and payload capacities. RWD models feature an independent suspension up front and a live semi-floating axle in the rear. Canyons with 4WD and the High-Stance off-road package offer independent torsion bars. All models get standard 1.1 inch front stabilizer bars. Rack-and-pinion steering is standard across the line too, better maneuvering

The Canyons 4WD system is easy to operate with dash-mounted electronic shift-on-the-fly capability. (Photo: General Motors)

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